As part of INDICASARE project “Research, Capacity Building, Awareness and Resilience of the Syrian and host communities” supported by NOVACT, and as a part of 16 days of activism campaign, ARDD conducted three community sessions (Over a cup of coffee) in East Amman, Karak, and Zarqa in December 2019.
A total number of 70 Syrian and Jordanian women attended the sessions, where the facilitators are the women who attended the prevention of violent extremism training (PVE), discussing relevant issues, networking and seeking to further help each other.
Over a cup of coffee sessions tackled and raised awareness on many topics like the general definition of and concepts of violence and extremism within and outside the family, how to handle violence and conflict within the family, how to confront extremism and avoid violent extremism, the role of customs and traditions in peaceful conflict resolution and social cohesion, the importance of peaceful communication within the family and community, and the role of women in promoting social cohesion.
Many stories and opinions were shared, as one of the refugee women shared her role as single mother striving to provide her family, while her husband is still in Syria, how she was able to start her business in garments with 150 JOD with the help of her Jordanian neighbor and how she was able to raise her kids and marry them off well. Another woman shared how she was able to educate her daughters despite her lower education and her families’ resistance and she emphasized on the importance of education for girls.
Some women commented that there are few women success stories being told or celebrated, in comparison to the negative stories that are highlighted in the media.
Discussing domestic violence, on women said we should help as we are legally required to report violent incidents, but in our communities, many will not want to do so as they are afraid of dealing with the courts.
Overall the participants had positive feedback on the sessions, asking for more activities to be conducted for men on a regular basis. They also suggested creating a safe space to talk to other women and to implement these awareness sessions in public schools targeting kids as well.
